Mail-receiver.



PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907.

N. K. BOWMAN. MAIL RECEIVER.

APPLICATION FILED 00124. 1906.

19i kn maeo attowmqo NEWTON K. BOWB'IAN, OF NORTH .ln-XW'RENCE, OHIO.

IVlAlL-RECEIVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907.

Application filed October 24, 1906. Serial No. 340,397.

To CLZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEw'roN K. BO\VMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Lawrence, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Rmseivers, of

Which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mail receiver for use at a station, or other place, where mail is delivered from a moving train, the same consisting of a platform upon which the mail slides when thrown from a passing car, and a folding deflector, at the end or in the length of the platform, which when turned down lies flush with the platform to form a part thereof, and which when turnedv up and shifted is self bracing to sustain the impact of the mail and direct the same laterally away from the train.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings. 7

l/Vhile the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail reeeiver embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the receiver, the deflector being shown elevated by full lines and lowered by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a section on the line :c-9c of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the receiver as seen from the rear, showing more clearly the pivot or hinge connections.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The receiver comprises a platform 1 and a deflector 2, the latter being hinged or pivoted to the platform so as to fold with reference thereto either to occupy an upright position or to lie about in the plane of the platform so as to be out of the way and practically form a part thereof. The platform 1 may be of any construction and comprises bars or longitudinal timbers 3 and surface boards l. The platform is oblique one end, the inclination being approximately fiftyfive degrees. Short bars or timbers 5 project from the oblique or inclined end 6 of the platform at about a right angle and form a support for the deflector 2 when turned into an. approximately horizontal position. These bars or timbers likewise support the deflector when turned into an upright position by forming abutments for the lower ends of stays 7 attached to the under or rear side of the-dcflector. The bars or timbers 5 may be connected to the eorrespomling bars or timbers 3 of the main platform 1 in any substantial manner.

The deflector 2 may be of any construction and comprises stays 7 and surface boards nailed or otherwise secured thereto. The stays 7 taper throughout their length, being broad at their lower or pivotal ends so as to obtain an extendi d nearing upon the upper edge of the bars or timbers 5 's'rhen the deilrctor isturned into an upright position and shifted laterally. The deflector 2 is hinged or pivoted to the inclined end (i of the main platform so as to receive both a pivotal and a sliding movement, the latter enabling the stays 7 either to regi with the bars or timbers 5 or to be thrown to one side thereof when it is required to turn said deflector into a horizontal position to lie flush with or in the plane of the main platform to form in effect a part thereof. As shown, a series of eyes S are provided at the lower or pivotal end of the deflector 2 and a corresponding series of eyes 9 are located under the inclined end 6 of the main platform, a rod 10 being passed through the eyes and 9 to pivotally connect the deflector with the platform. \Vhcn the deflector is lowered, the stays 7 lie alongside of the projecting ends of the bars or timbers 5, and when the deflector is turned into an upright position and moved later lly, the stays 7 are in the plane of the respec ive bars or timbers 5 with their lower broad ends abutting thereon, so as to hold. the deflector in upright position against the impact of the mail during delivery thereof. When it is required to fold or lower the deflector so as to be out of the way when not required for immediate use, it is moved laterally a distance to throw the stays 7 clear of the bars 5 when the deflector may be turned into horizontal position. hen the device is required for use, the deflector is turned into upright position and then shifted laterally to cause the lIO lower ends of the stays 7 to abut against the projecting ends of the bars 5, when said deflector will be held firmly in the required po sition.

T he platform 1 may be of any length and width and the same is true of the deflector 2. and the construction may be such as found most economical and advantageous for efflcienoy and to minimize injury to the sacks or pouches containing the mail. The platform 1 is located at the station or place where mail is to be delivered from a moving train, and parallels the track and is arranged at one side thereof. In the event of the track being single, the main platform 1 may be provided at each end with a folding deflector, as will be readily understood so that one or the other may be turned into upright position accord ing as the train is passing in one direction or the other upon the track or by the station. Inoperation the deflector being turned into upright position the mail delivered from a passing car upon the platform 1 slides along the same by the momentum imparted thereto from the train and coming in contact with the deflector 2 is directed laterally away from the track and has its forward movement practically checked. After the delivery has been effected, the deflector 2 may be lowered into horizontal position so as to be out of the way and effect an unobstructed view and passage which would cause serious inconvenience if said deflector were fixed and at all times projected upward from the platform 1.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Means for receiving mail from a moving train, the same consisting of a platform and a cooperating folding deflector.

2. Means for receiving mail from a moving l tram, the same comprising a platform and a deflector hinged thereto and adapted to be turned either into upright position for operation or to be lowered into horizontal position to be out of the way.

3. Means for receiving mail from a moving train, the same consisting of a platform and a cooperating folding deflector, the latter supported by said platform or an extension thereof both in upright and horizontal position.

4. In me ans for receiving mail from a moving train, the combination of a platform, and a deflector hinged relatively to the platform and adapted to receive both a turning and a sliding movement, the latter admitting of throwing cooperating parts of the platform and deflector into or out of register 5. A mail receiver of the character described, comprising in combination, a platform, bars projected therefrom, a deflector having stays upon its outer or rear side adapted to abut against said bars to hold the deflector in upright position, said deflector adapted to receive both a turning and a lateral sliding movement, whereby its stays are turned into or out of register with corresponding bars of the platform.

6. Means for receiving mail from a moving train, the same consisting of a platform having an inclined portion, bars extended approximately at a right angle to said inclined portion, a deflector comprising stays and connected to the inclined portion of the platform to receive both a turning and a lateral sliding movement, the latter throwing the stays of the deflector into and out of register with said bars projected from the inclined portion of the platform.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. L. BOWMAN, Jenn PoLLocK. 

